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A R C H I V E

Thursday, September 8

I have been working so hard these past several months, and I am truly loving every minute of it. Thank you so much to all of you who support me by buying my paintings, and talking about me on your blogs, and recommending me to your friends. I just can't tell you how much I appreciate you, and lovelovelove having you out there to chat with.

Lets do some more chatting, as I have decided to change some of my policies about how I work, and I think this is such a great way to talk about it. I have amended some policies, and these are the new things to think about.

Commission fee: I have agonized over this decision, but I really feel good about it; there is a fee to order a custom painting, otherwise known as a commission. I simply takes so much more time to paint a custom order. Not to mention thought, I really do my hardest to deliver exactly what you want when I paint for you. Sometimes I have to go back several times to make changes before you see your painting. Most of the time they are minor changes, and I am happy to do that, because like I said, I want it to be perfect. This brings me to my next change.

Other considerations about pricing: If you want a custom order, Yippee! I am super happy to do that, it costs 275 extra b/c I have to (naturally) order special parts, and pay someone to put it all together to make sure it is square, and sturdy, you know, all the usual crap. I am not making a profit on this, it is what I am charged by my framer. Always better to go in even numbers when sizing, by the way.

Two alterations allowed: Yup, two times I will go back and make changes to your painting after I show it to you and you consider for a while. Now, let me be clear, if you specify you want lots of blue, and I don't put any blue in your painting, do not despair, I will obviously not count my error as one of your alterations! Also, of course I will allow wiggle room. This policy has to be in place for people who ask me to make change after change b/c they don't actually really know what they want. It also forces both of us, you and me, to be very clear about what you expect from your painting, instead of waiting to see what I do, and then asking for a different look. Not that you guys do that as a rule! I am just noticing a trend of people who are not really paying attention, and this is very disrespectful of my time and efforts, and I think this is the best way of addressing this issue. On the other hand, if I am not clear about what you really wanted in the first place, this process of changes can go on and on, b/c my brain is too scattered to really focus on your painting, and that has happend before, and I feel that is disrespectful of your time and money!

Cancellation Policy: This has not happened before, but I expect it will at some point in the future. If we can't find a happy place with your painting, I will offer a refund, and re-sell your painting. Now, I don't charge anything for the effort, but if this becomes an issue, I will come back and start charging a cancellation fee of 25% of the cost of the painting (in addition to the commission fee, which would not be refundable if I had to resort to canceling our work together. Good Lawrd I hope this doesn't have to happen.

Turn Around Time: I am running about 4-6 weeks, and I won't let this time frame grow any more. Its just too hard to keep track of everyone in that kind of time frame. Most of the time is spent by me painting the commissions of everyone else who contacted me before you. It doesn't really take too long to paint a canvas, but there are so many others, not to mention the gallery, and the shop to paint for. Plus, ya'll know I like to layer, and I need a few days to stare at your painting to be sure I covered all the bases. Not to mention, shit happens! I get painter's block, or a cold, or my wrist starts acting up, or my insomnia...no more bitching, ok, I'm done.

Paintings in the Shop: Sign up to my newsletter if you want to be one of the first people to know when new paintings are up in the shop. I know they tend to sell out fast, I do try to keep it all updated and neat and fresh. Starting October 1st, there will be many more paintings in the shop to choose from, I am hoping that by charging the commission fee, more people will want to buy something from my shop instead. I am hoping this means I will have more time to paint for the shop. This really is the best way for you to get new ideas, and techniques and the coolest color combos I can think of. I can't make new cool things if I spend all my time painting custom orders. I will offer all sizes, and as the months go on, more and more paintings will be available! I have high hopes for this new arrangement.

Retail and wholesale: Contact me if you are interested in selling my paintings in your store. I offer two levels of discounted pricing, and you can order right from the store. I only choose about three or four places in the US to sell via retail, and this year I have met my quota already. Also, I like to be sure that the shops that sell my paintings are places that I love, and would shop at myself. In other words, I like to control how my paintings are perceived, that is basic brand maintenance, so I reserve the right to decline to sell paintings to stores on a case by case basis. Unfortunately I don't do retail offers for international sellers. I would have to paint on an un-rolled canvas, and this means I would have to essentially paint on commission, and this is too much to deal with when I am accepting a lot less for the painting than I would on a regular commission. I hope you all understand! This reminds me, my turn around time is higher for retail orders (of course, unless you buy something directly from the store), because I make my commissions my priority. One more thing, I don't work with third party sellers, so if you have an on-line gallery, I am not interested, but thanks anyway.

10 comments:

I'm no type A personality, but I love me some policies. Especially when they keep me from ripping a client's face off. Not that I've ever wanted to, err, something. Bottom line - I support this message completely! Woot!

This has nothing to do with what you just said but it reminds me of something I heard an artist say to some skeptical asshole who was questioning her why her painting was $2000. "How LONG does it take you to do a painting like that?" he asked. She replied, "My whole life."

Do you plan on doing any more large prints of your paintings? I'm too scared to order a commission, and I'm ALWAYS too slow to catch the paintings I really want. And hear, hear on these changes, you must be busy! I keep seeing your paintings and your name all over the place.

I can't believe you haven't been charging a commission fee! especially given the amount of extra work that clearly has been going into these! Your thoroughness is inspiring me to rejig my policies (by which I mean, put some in place!)

It sounds by these updated policies that you are doing really well with your business. Congratulations!! I love your paintings and you have a very distinct style. All these success is certainly well deserved!